Coming To Terms in Orlando: Warming Up to The Vince Carter Trade

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Turkoglu's lack of athleticism meant he couldn’t move over to the two-guard slot full time to make way for a true power forward. Carter’s insertion into the shooting guard role means a move back to the three for Lewis, which will relieve the slender forward of his low post defensive mismatches.

The Magic can still run the same spread-em-out lineup if they like by inserting Pietrus at the two and letting Carter run at small forward with Lewis drawing power forwards away from the rim.

Perhaps the biggest bonus in the Carter deal is that it gets Orlando off the hook from the five-six year deal that Turkoglu was seeking and places them responsible for only two more years of Carter's contract.

With Carter coming off the books in 2011, it provides the Magic with several options: They can let Carter's contract run out and go after another shot creating perimeter player through free agency, or they can move Carter when he enters the last year of his deal for a disgruntled young perimeter player or several players.

Carter has a team option for $18 million after the fourth year of his deal, which will more than likely not be picked up by any team. His salary in the 2010-2011 season will circle around $17.3 million, a pretty enticing number for a team looking to clear some cap room, making the Magic a possible heavy trade contender for the 2010 season. 

While the loss of Tony Battie along with Rafer Alston as part of the deal may hurt the Magic’s depth, keep in mind that Orlando picked up a similar sweet shooting big man in Ryan Anderson, who’s range actually surpasses Battie up to the three-point line.

Also remember that forgotten point man Anthony Johnson outplayed Alston as the team’s lead guard during several stretches in last year’s post season.

The Vince Carter trade was not the end to Smith’s summer wheeling and dealing. The Magic are officially in the hunt for a power forward.

As a man who played the position pretty effectively before an injury forced his retirement, you can expect Smith to evaluate his future four with a fine tooth comb before offering that mystery Magic man the full mid-level exception.

The Carter deal was only step one in a two part process to give Orlando that ring it has long coveted. Stay tune for step two.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?